As an automobile owner, one of the biggest things folks can do to reduce costs is to properly maintain one's own vehicle.
The most common form of maintenance on your car is doing regular scheduled maintenance including changing your own oil.
One of the first things to consider is how often you should change your oil.
Opinions vary widely here, and it depends a lot on the oil you use.
If you listen to manufacturers, many are moving to a very long interval, with many around the 15,000 mile mark.
This was driven widely by the popularity of the all included maintenance offer that many manufacturers offered through the last 10 years.
As one who has taken apart many engines, this just isn't a good idea.
We have seen far too much sludge and varnish appearing on engines that stuck to this long maintenance period.
For most high quality synthetics, you are pretty safe replacing the oil every 6000-7000 miles.
Now, this will vary depending on the type of miles.
This is based where 75% of those miles are interstate miles.
If you spend all your miles driving around town in stop and go, and idling traffic, this number should be dramatically reduced to around 5000 miles or so.
Again, a high quality synthetic will give you double the mileage over the conventional motor oils, so if you stick with conventional oils, cut those numbers in half.
Some may have differing opinions here, but if you plan on keeping your car for many years, you will want to err on the side of caution.
The general oil change procedure has really not changed over the years.
It usually involves jacking up the car, and draining the oil from the bottom of the pan.
Remove and replace the oil filter.
Check your manual to see what the capacity is for an oil and filter change, as well as the proper oil type and viscosity.
Remember, many European brands have very specific oil requirements for later model cars.
Add the oil, start the engine and let it run for 20 seconds or so.
Shut off, let the oil settle for a couple minutes, and recheck the level.
Aim to have your oil level around the mid to ¾ point on the marked area.
DO NOT OVERFILL.
This is as important to engine safety as under filling an engine.
Be sure to record your maintenance either on the maintenance card or in a log and store it with your car.
The most common form of maintenance on your car is doing regular scheduled maintenance including changing your own oil.
One of the first things to consider is how often you should change your oil.
Opinions vary widely here, and it depends a lot on the oil you use.
If you listen to manufacturers, many are moving to a very long interval, with many around the 15,000 mile mark.
This was driven widely by the popularity of the all included maintenance offer that many manufacturers offered through the last 10 years.
As one who has taken apart many engines, this just isn't a good idea.
We have seen far too much sludge and varnish appearing on engines that stuck to this long maintenance period.
For most high quality synthetics, you are pretty safe replacing the oil every 6000-7000 miles.
Now, this will vary depending on the type of miles.
This is based where 75% of those miles are interstate miles.
If you spend all your miles driving around town in stop and go, and idling traffic, this number should be dramatically reduced to around 5000 miles or so.
Again, a high quality synthetic will give you double the mileage over the conventional motor oils, so if you stick with conventional oils, cut those numbers in half.
Some may have differing opinions here, but if you plan on keeping your car for many years, you will want to err on the side of caution.
The general oil change procedure has really not changed over the years.
It usually involves jacking up the car, and draining the oil from the bottom of the pan.
Remove and replace the oil filter.
Check your manual to see what the capacity is for an oil and filter change, as well as the proper oil type and viscosity.
Remember, many European brands have very specific oil requirements for later model cars.
Add the oil, start the engine and let it run for 20 seconds or so.
Shut off, let the oil settle for a couple minutes, and recheck the level.
Aim to have your oil level around the mid to ¾ point on the marked area.
DO NOT OVERFILL.
This is as important to engine safety as under filling an engine.
Be sure to record your maintenance either on the maintenance card or in a log and store it with your car.
Source...